strengthsfindercoach

390 Good Service Goes Both Ways

Anyone who has ever worked in customer service has at some point or another dealt with that one customer. You know the type, the huffy, irritable, “My issues are more important than your wellbeing and rules” that insist and demand everything, while demeaning you in the process. Unfortunately, these people will always exist, however what we can change is how we allow these types of interactions to affect us. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins tells the story of one of her own unruly customer moments, as well as how she chose to learn and grow from the experience in order to teach others.

389 Identifying and Acting On Problems You Can Solve

We are surrounded by problems everyday of our lives, some manageable and others seeming too monumental to handle alone. Which is why it is so important to build a community of like minded individuals with the same goal of making a true difference. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Tessa Clarke discuss the relationship people have with stuff, food waste, and how Tessa’s company Olio have been making a real difference in the face of the climate crisis.

388 Changing Dynamic

Growth is something that cannot easily be stopped. Whether it be the weeds in a garden, or the inquisitive mind of a child, growth in all is something that should be encouraged and nurtured, even if it’s by our own hands, so that we can become the people we know we can be. Someone better than who we were yesterday.

In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins and Carlos Joaquin discuss the importance of Curiosity, Growth, Unity, and the Dynamics in not just the work place but in the home life, and how incredibly important it is to encourage those around you and to be the leader your peers need you to be.

387 Reframe Your AI Story featuring Michael Kollo

Michael's background and transition to AI @ 13:38

Michael reveals his unexpected background in the arts and theatre, and how he later transitioned into finance before becoming interested in the implications of AI. He shares insights about the resistance to change and adoption of new technologies within the finance industry.

Observations on AI adoption and impact @ 30:22

Michael shares two key observations about the adoption of AI: 1) Finance professionals initially dismissed the potential of machine learning, but then quickly embraced it for commercial reasons rather than scientific merit. 2) Highly experienced and successful finance professionals were often the most resistant to acknowledging the disruptive impact of AI on their industry.

Episode Highlights:

AI will be the next cautionary tale about companies and individuals who ignore new technology, rather than embrace it. (Think Kodak & Blockbuster.)

Don't think of AI as exclusively a technology tool, think of it as a writing and development tool.

Humans drive AI by desire, the "I want to..." AI doesn't create or change because it desires to do so.

Quotes:

  • "It's not 'how is AI going to change my industry', it's 'how am I going to use AI to change my industry?"

  • On the difference between an AI and human approach: “It's not so much a skills question, it's a will or a desirequestion, that I want to do something is not within AI's remit..."

Meet Michael Kollo:

Michael Kollo is a finance professional turned AI strategist with a PhD in Finance from the London School of Economics. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of quantitative finance and technology, he has held roles at BlackRock, Fidelity, AXA, and HESTA.

AI represents the most significant shift in financial services since the rise of algorithmic trading. However, the real challenge lies in deploying AI to create tangible value. Through Evolved AI, Michael works directly with financial firms to ensure AI adoption is practical, secure, and aligned with industry needs.

Whether through executive training or micro-automations, he focuses on bridging the gap between AI capability and financial business objectives. Committed to making AI an augmentative tool rather than a black box, he helps firms navigate this transformation with clarity, strategy, and execution.

Follow Michael on Instagram and Connect with him on LinkedIn.

About Sarah

"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."

In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.

My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.

The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!

Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.

Be sure to check out my Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!